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Pleasantville Community Synagogue
219 Bedford Road, Pleasantville, NY
Pleasantville Community Synagogue is a welcoming Jewish community with
people of diverse traditions and backgrounds who want to share a
joyous spiritual and cultural home.
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Joyful Judaism!
Weekly E-Newsletter
May 25 - June 1, 2023
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TODAY
Thursday, May 25
7:30 pm:
Yizkor service
8 pm:
Shavuot study session with Rabbi Ben Newman
In person at PCS or via Zoom.
"Reimagining Revelation"
Join us this Shavuot for an enlightening exploration of "Reimagining Revelation." We will dive deep into the pivotal moment of the Jewish tradition—the revelation at Mount Sinai—and examine its interpretations through diverse Jewish lenses. This engaging study session will challenge us to reimagine the concept of divine revelation in a modern, liberal context. How does revelation occur in our lives today? Can we experience personal moments of revelation? Our discussion will draw upon a wealth of sources—from classical texts to contemporary Jewish thought—as we seek to make personal and collective meaning out of this ancient narrative. This Shavuot, let's gather together to question, learn, and perhaps even experience a revelation of our own.
Please click here to attend via Zoom.
Meeting ID: 838 2546 0379
Passcode: 739871
One tap mobile: +16469313860,,83825460379#,,,,*739871# US
+16465588656,,83825460379#,,,,*739871# US (New York)
For more info and/or to RSVP please email Rabbi Ben at rabbibennewman@gmail.com.
There will be some Shavuot goodies at PCS but please feel free to bring in a fruit or dairy snack or have one at home!
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Shavuot Readings and Resources
Click here for Shavuot Resources from the AJWS.
Click on links below for more readings and information about Shavuot:
How to See and Be Seen: Choosing Judaism
Shavuot is the holiday of choosing Judaism. We choose to see the beauty of the tradition and be seen holding it with full hearts and hands.
Learning about Mental Illness from Ruth
Risa Sugarman teaches that comparing Ruth’s strengths to owning our own positive attributes as primary instead of our mental illness.
Questions of Revelation: A Poem
Rabbi Suzanne Brody shares her poem that embraces a variety of midrashim about what happened at Sinai when we received the Torah.
Revelation: A Poem
Yakira Keshet offers a poem to commemorate Shavuot, her journey to Judaism, and the presence of our souls at Mount Sinai.
Home and Synagogue Shavuot Observances
Candle-lighting, Torah readings, the Book of Ruth, and Yizkor are all a part of celebrating Shavuot at home and at synagogue.
What is Shavuot about?
Like Sukkot and Passover, Shavuot is a multi-dimensional holiday, embracing profound historical, spiritual, and agricultural aspects.
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Shabbat Services
There will be no services Friday night.
Saturday, May 27
10 am: Shabbat morning service and Torah study
with Michael Safranek.
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To attend in-person inside PCS, full vaccinations are strongly recommended.
If you are not feeling well or have been exposed to someone not feeling well,
please attend via Zoom.
If there are more than 50 people in attendance, KN95 masks are strongly recommended in the sanctuary. If you choose not to wear a mask with more than 50 people in attendance, it is required that you have a negative result that day from a rapid Covid test.
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June 2023 Yahrzeits
Uri Neuman, father of Eric Neuman, June 3
Martin Klein, Mordecai ben Avram Svi ve'Lena, father of Eric Klein, June 4
Thomas Burrows, Simcha Nima, father of Rachel Paradis, June 10
Max Korus, grandfather of Roberta Korus, June 11
Morris Itkin, grandfather of Roberta Korus, June 12
Dessie Sliffman Itkin, grandmother of Roberta Korus, June 15
Rose Netburn, mother of Malcolm Netburn, June 18
Meyer Spector, uncle of Malcolm Netburn, June 18
Nadine Aghen, mother of Sean Aghen, June 20
Salo Kluger, father of Frieda Gold, June 27
May peace be upon them and may their memories
be a blessing.
If you would like to create a yahrzeit plaque in honor and in memory of your loved ones, please contact Marcy Gray.
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PCS Lag B'Omer campfire, Hebrew School Open House, Tzedakah Crafts Fair
& Ice Cream!
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"Reimagining Judaism"
An exciting
Adult Education series
with Rabbi Ben Newman.
The last of three sessions is: Wednesday, May 31, 7:30 pm.
Via Zoom only.
Click here to attend May 31.
Meeting ID: 856 3787 1494
Passcode: 910406
One tap mobile: +16465588656,,85637871494#,,,,*910406# US (New York)
+16469313860,,85637871494#,,,,*910406# US
AND EXCITING NEWS! Rabbi Michael Strassfeld, author of "Judaism Disrupted," will be holding his own discussion with PCS on
Wednesday, 7:30 pm, June 14.
More info to come but SAVE THAT DATE!
Are you searching for a deeper connection to Jewish spirituality in our fast-paced, modern world? Rabbi Ben invites you to join him in exploring the groundbreaking book "Judaism Disrupted: A Spiritual Manifesto for the 21st Century by Rabbi Michael Strassfeld. In this three-session adult education class on Zoom, we'll delve into the concept of radical traditionalism—a re-envisioning of Judaism that breathes new life into ancient wisdom.
There will be copies of the book available for purchase at The Village Bookstore in Pleasantville or through Amazon.
"Judaism Disrupted" boldly addresses the challenges faced by many today, such as the diminishing relevance of prayer, Jewish law, and traditional institutions. Instead, it calls upon the timeless ethical imperatives of Judaism to help us live with purpose and find meaning in our lives. By embracing inner qualities like gratitude, patience, and generosity, we can forge a more fulfilling spiritual path.
Together, we will embark on a transformative journey, examining the seismic changes in Judaism and uncovering the wisdom and practices that have been obscured over time. Drawing from contemporary spirituality and the Jewish mystical tradition, we'll learn how to create new practices that resonate with our modern lives.
Don't miss this opportunity to engage with a visionary approach to Judaism that speaks directly to the needs of our time. Please be part of this enlightening three-session class, and begin your journey toward a revitalized and deeply connected spiritual life.
If you have any questions, please email
Rabbi Ben Newman, rabbibennewman@gmail.com.
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Next PCS Book Group meeting!
Monday, June 5, 7 pm
We'll meet in person at PCS to discuss "Accidental Gangster: Dutch Schultz and Me" by Harriet Goodman Grayson who will join us via Zoom.
“Accidental Gangster” is based on true events – Harriet’s tales of her grandfather Goldy and great-grandfather’s days of running booze for Jewish gangster Dutch Schultz through the Rockaways during Prohibition.
There are a few copies at PCS so please contact Marcy Gray to purchase one or for more information. All are welcome!
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Friday Night Dinner and
Pride Shabbat Celebration, June 9
All are welcome - from the youngest to the most senior amongst us! - to celebrate Pride Shabbat led by Rabbi Shoshana Leis and Rabbi Ben Newman, in person at PCS and service via Zoom, with the amazing music of tRabbi Ben and the Klez Messengers.
Click here for more information and to RSVP.
Our Friday night musical monthly Shabbat gatherings are not to be missed. They begin with Shabbat Roots, followed by a seated community dinner. Afterwards, calming meditation, joyous song with musicians and choir, and spontaneous dance fill the sanctuary in a one-hour long Shabbat service for all ages. Join us for community and connection during any part of the evening.
These Friday nights offer a wonderful sense of community.
There is something for everyone!
COME TO PART OF THE EVENING OR COME TO IT ALL!
5:30 pm Shabbat Roots (for ages 0-8 + grownups) RSVPs appreciated.
6 pm Shabbat dinner ($18/adult, children are free.) RSVPs required
7 pm Soulful, heartwarming Shabbat service celebrating Pride Month
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PCS's Annual Fundraising Gala!
Sunday, June 11, 2-5 pm
Outside and TONS of fun!
Back to Nature
with PCS!
At Edith Macy Conference Center in Briarcliff Manor
There will be RAPTORS...
AND amazing music, wonderful people, silent auction, delicious food and drinks, all kinds of games and swag!
Kids, grandparents, friends, families, everyone is invited!
Tickets and Sponsor Levels:
General Admission:
$118 per individual ticket
Nature Lover:
$180 with 1 ticket
Earth Child:
$360 with 2 tickets
Star Gazer:
$720 with 4 tickets
Whale Watcher:
$1800 with 6 tickets
Global Thinker:
$3600 with 8 tickets
Donation:
If you can't make it but still want to support PCS, any amount is welcomed and appreciated!
Click HERE to register and for more info regarding tickets, sponsorships, donations, etc. You can also contact Marcy Gray, mgray@shalompcs.com.
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Dear Refugee Shabbat 2023 Participant,
Thank you for dedicating a Shabbat experience to refugees as part of HIAS Refugee Shabbat, 2023. You are one of dozens of congregations and organizations across Westchester County, Rockland County, and Riverdale that did this, giving your community the opportunity to learn firsthand the struggles and strides inherent in the refugee experience.
We hope that your congregation's participation helped raise awareness, inspired individuals to get involved, and reaffirmed our community’s commitment to current immigration issues in the United States and around the world. We are very grateful that you are and your congregation gave our refugee community a microphone and made them a vital part of the experience.
We invite you to continue to help us further in the critical, regional work of helping refugees. WJCI is a volunteer-led and run organization, and our efforts rely on the involvement of community members. Please share this form with members of your congregation. Please also share this link so they can sign up for our newsletter and stay up-to-date with our work and join partner efforts helping all immigrants around the county.
From all of your friends at WJCI
Holly Rosen Fink | President and Co-Founder
Westchester Jewish Coalition for Immigration, Inc. | WJCI
holly@wjci.org | wjci.org
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Rabbi Ben Newman's Neshama Project
In this weekly podcast Rabbi Ben explores spiritual tools for human thriving.
Please click here for the link to the most
recent podcast.
If you have any questions or would like to offer feedback and comments,
please email Rabbi Ben Newman.
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Please join us to meditate
via Zoom
Led by Rabbi Ben every Thursday morning at 8:25 - 9 am.
Please click here to attend via Zoom.
Meeting ID: 865 7391 7016
If you have any questions, please email
Rabbi Ben Newman.
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Rabbi Shoshana Leis's Four Worlds Torah Podcast
Digging for treasures in the Torah, treasures that matter for our lives and for the world.
Please click here for the most recent podcast (published no later than Thursday each week).
Feel free to reach out to Rabbi Shosh
with any comments or questions.
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PCS SoundCloud!
PCS has created a new SoundCloud account that will hold prayers, songs and podcasts.
Click https://bit.ly/PCSprayers here to listen and enjoy!
If you have any questions,
please email Rabbi Ben Newman.
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Looking to volunteer?
NY Virtual Volunteer page.
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